We independently selected these products because we love them, and we think you might like them at these prices. E! has affiliate relationships, so we may get a commission if you purchase...Things are starting to make sense on this season of Below Deck Mediterranean. Or, at least, we’re getting some answers that merely open a pandora’s box of more questions. And it all hinges on the bizarre dynamic happening between Natasha Webb and Chef Dave White. Whom we have now established were in a weird sort of secret relationship before coming aboard M/Y Home. One that seems to be largely controlled by what the chief stew wants. Dave explains via confessional that it was Natasha who said she wanted “time” before admitting everything to the crew and Bravo’s cameras. And came up with the inane parameters to wait a week before spilling the beans.
But the thing is, Dave forced the issue. And now they’re both talking about it in their confessionals. So I don’t know what Natasha‘s actually trying to do here other than keep Dave on a leash. She put him in her cabin to keep him close. She flashes a smile to get what she wants from him. And clearly feels like she has the power to ignore him when she’d rather flirt with, say, Jason Gaskell. Which leads us to…
The crew’s first night out is fraught with underlying tension. Again because of whatever’s going on between Dave and Natasha. She gets upset when she finds out he told the table he wants more from their relationship. And starts worrying that he’s a ticking time bomb. So her solution is to punish him by completely avoiding and ignoring him all night. This happens on her terms, chef, not yours, remember? Dave obviously notices the mutual interest brewing between his secret girlfriend and Jason. And by the time they get back to the boat, she won’t even look his way. So he decides to poke the bear by drunkenly antagonizing the junior deckhand.
The pestering is really over nothing. But it just about leads to a blow-up in the crew mess until Jason retreats to his cabin to avoid throwing hands with Dave. And the strategy doesn’t get the desired response out of Natasha either. Once Dave tells her about his altercation with “[her] boyfriend,” she once again presses the abort button and sneaks off to sleep in the guest cabin for the night while he’s in the shower. The chef ends the night alone in his bunk, sobbing quietly with his back to the camera. This is already a mess.
The next morning, the tension between Dave and Natasha is palpable. He tries to apologize for acting like a fool. But she feeds him the line that she needs to focus on herself. And he comes thisclose to breaking their agreement by pointing out on camera that they can’t even talk about the “real reason” for the awkwardness. Oops. His attempt at apologizing to Jason doesn’t go much better, either. But at least for now, the two are able to shake hands and move on. After all, the second charter is just hours away from beginning.
But that doesn’t stop Dave from attempting to clear the air with Natasha just one more time. He asks if they can talk. She suggests meeting in their cabin. But when he arrives, she’s already in the shower. And what was supposed to be a five minute chat turns into a half hour tryst in the shower. Is this strategic on Natasha’s part so the cameras can’t capture their conversation? Is she just placating Dave with an early morning hookup? Either way, by the time she leaves the bathroom, she’s fully clothed and Dave’s the one in the shower. That’s certainly one way to get around production eavesdropping on secrets you’re trying to keep off-camera.
Raygan Tyler‘s leadership, or lack thereof, also remains a huge problem this week. First, she spends all morning in bed with a hangover. Leaving Jason, Storm Smith, and Mzi Dempers without any clear direction on what needs to get done. By the time she drags herself to the preference sheet meeting, Captain Sandy Yawn is visibly displeased. And even more so when the beleaguered bosun tries to blame her absence on food poisoning. No, sweetie. That’s called a hangover. You were dancing like one of those inflatable men in front of a car dealership last night. And you couldn’t possibly look more unprofessional right now.
The drama continues when it comes time to get all the water toys out for the guests. Which, by the way, was one of the top priorities on their preference sheet. But Raygan‘s “do whatever you want” approach only creates chaos on the swim platform. To the point where Captain Sandy has to come down and help get things organized and in the water. The batteries in the sea bobs are dead. The inflatables take forever to be blown up. The passerelle sits idly on the swim platform when it should be the very first thing in the water. Of course, all this is happening as the guests sit. And wait. And wait. To start enjoying their chartered yacht vacation.
Later that night while Dave is serving the guests twice-cooked octopus, Captain Sandy pulls Mzi aside to get his take on how the deck is operating. And to paraphrase a certain Bravolebrity, “Not well, Captain.” The returning deckhand gives his honest assessment that the problems are his fault. Nor are they Jason‘s or Storm‘s. It’s all Raygan.
The next morning, Captain Sandy calls the bosun to the wheelhouse for what initially sounds like a pep talk. But Raygan doesn’t seem to grasp what dire straits she’s already in. Honey, this isn’t just yachting, it’s reality TV. It’s sink or swim. And you don’t even seem to be able to float. Captain Sandy wants to support her, but the more Raygan digs a hole for herself, the less likely it’ll be that she gets out of it.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK NATASHA IS MANIPULATING DAVE? DID HE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ANGRY WITH HER ON THEIR NIGHT OUT? WAS THE SHOWER SCENE STRATEGIC ON NATASHA’S PART? HOW MUCH LONGER WILL RAYGAN LAST?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
The post Below Deck Mediterranean Recap: An Illicit Boatmance appeared first on Reality Tea.
Southern Charm is firing on all cylinders this season, and the garden party is highlighting that. These are real people with genuine issues, and it’s all boiling over. There’s no escaping anymore. After a long hiatus from filming, people have scores to settle.
The episode kicked off with drama from last week’s episode carrying over into this one. Madison LeCroy knew exactly what she was doing by inviting Kathryn Dennis and Olivia Flowers. Leva Bonaparte was doing a decent job at meditating between Venita Aspen and everyone else. It’s really the only thing she’s done every season.
Venita went too far by bringing up Kathryn’s kids. When will everyone learn not to drag kids into a feud between adults? It doesn’t matter what the context was. You don’t do that. Period.
Kathryn doesn’t understand why she’s being targeted. Leva assured her that she was normal, but it was because of her emotions. So basically, everyone knows they can get a rise out of Kathryn, so she’s an easy target. Call it what it is.
When it doesn’t work out with Kathryn, Venita turns her attention to Oliva. Nobody engaged at the party with Venita. Olivia hasn’t done anything wrong, so it’s a bit confusing as to what Venita’s motives are.
Olivia doesn’t like the word racism thrown out in a conversation involving her. What I didn’t like was Olivia telling Venita she’s not going to “cancel culture” her out of here. If you have done nothing wrong, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. Olivia doesn’t know the struggles Venita might’ve gone through or other Black women.
Venita’s desperately trying to have a moment with everyone in this group. I might chalk this up to a newbie trying to find their footing. It still wreaks of desperation though. At the same time, this is Madison’s fault. If Madison didn’t secretly invite Kathryn and Olivia, Venita wouldn’t have been blindsided.
It’s been a fun treat seeing Paige DeSorbo on Southern Charm this season. She and Craig Conover feel like they could be the real deal. Honestly? They might be the only genuine relationship currently in the cast, romantically speaking.
Paige understands group settings as being a place Craig might hang out with Naomie Olindo. However, she is putting the kibosh on Craig having a one-on-one lunch with her. The door is closed on Craig hanging out with Naomie, at least according to Paige.
Craig doesn’t see anything wrong with reconnecting with his ex on that sort of personal level. He must tread lightly if he wants his relationship with Paige. Is being buddies with Naomie that important to him?
On the boys’ trip with Shep Rose and Austen Kroll, Craig phones Paige, and you can tell how much he misses her. He wants to tell her that he loves her, but he didn’t say it.
Olivia is out of her mind if she is serious about pursuing a relationship with Austen. Has she never seen the show she’s on? He has a horrendous history with women, and history says this won’t end any differently.
Austen spent the entire “date” with Olivia talking about Madison. She wants to connect with this man, and all he’s doing is rambling about Madison’s current happenings. If he’s still hung-up on Madison, he needs to let Olivia find someone else. If he’s not over Madison, it’s not fair to Olivia.
Olivia had to sit through an awkward conversation about their status as a couple as well. These two are just getting to know one another. There isn’t a need to throw a label on something that’s still in its infancy stage.
Olivia played the thing really cool in comparison to how many would. Most people wouldn’t sit through while someone pines over their ex and fumbles through a conversation about status. Hopefully, he gets over himself soon and doesn’t string her along for too long.
Shep, Craig, and Austen have unmatched chemistry. Whether you find them likable or not is irrelevant because scenes with all three guys DELIVER. Their banter is hilarious.
The writing is on the wall for the end of Shep and Taylor Ann Green’s relationship. We all know by now that they’ve split, but this episode has to play a pivotal role in them calling it quits.
The meeting is more about helping Austen’s parents with the sale of his childhood home. This is also a mega business opportunity for Austen and his brand.
Shoutout to Austen for ignoring everyone who consistently doubts him. He’s managed to throw all of that to the wayside and build a brand for himself.
Shep is so fucking awful. During the trip, he calls Taylor, and a wild moment happens. When Shep tells Taylor that he’s going to bars in Charlotte, her paranoia peaks. He leaves the room off camera and tells her he’s not going to stop going places.
To make things worse, Shep tries gaslighting Taylor by accusing her of drinking. Way to project! Taylor has reason to be worried. If Shep didn’t on her in the first place, she wouldn’t be worried about his actions out of town.
Even Austen and Craig understand that Taylor has good reason to be concerned. Despite what Shep might want everyone to think, Taylor’s not insane. She doesn’t want her heart broken.
Craig says Shep’s not cut out to be a relationship guy. The whole thing is really sad to watch because everyone knows how this is going to end. He’s going back to his old ways. That’s if he ever changed in the first place.
A drunk Craig says Shep’s worried about Taylor finding out more. There’s more than that one kiss apparently. I can’t say I’m surprised to learn any of that.
The episode ends with Shep being a sleazeball and buying another woman a drink. Here we go. This likely explains so much about the downfall of their relationship.
TELL US – DID SHEP’S ACTIONS SURPRISE YOU? TEAM VENITA OR TEAM OLIVIA? DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF THE NEWBIES?
[Photo Credit: Bravo]
The post Top 5 Takeaways From Southern Charm Season 8 Episode 5 appeared first on Reality Tea.
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